This week’s top 10 list kicks off with two incredible videos – the first by Alissia Benveniste with her old school funky sound, and the second by Rebecca Johnson and her remarkable bass and vocal work on Jaco’s “Come on, Come Over”.

Readers also enjoyed columns by Sam Hallam (the best way to learn electric bass) and Donovan “Dr D.” Stokes (musical goals and self evaluation).

Throw in some new gear, news, and the bass of the week and you have the top 10 No Treble reader favorites for the week of December 13-19, 2014.

One of our favorite musical discoveries this year was Alissia Benveniste, a bassist and bandleader who is reviving the classic funk style with catchy hooks, uplifting lyrics, and awesome bass lines. She just sent us her latest video, and it’s got the same great recipe…

Long time No Treble readers will likely remember bassist Rebecca Johnson, who has wowed us all over the years with her videos. Rebecca sent me one of her latest with her band performing “Come On, Come Over”, written by Jaco Pastorius and Bob Herzog (with vocals by Sam & Dave on Jaco’s 1976 debut album)…

Megatar Touchstyle Basses has been reborn with a change in ownership and the launch of redesigned instruments, including the Megatar 12-string extended-range bass. Optimized for two-handing tapping, the Megatar’s strings are divided into two sets with space in between to eliminate crosstalk…

Ibanez has unveiled a new limited edition version of their SR Premium bass. Built in their Premium facility, the SR Premium LTD SR5BBLTD is set from its apart with a Buckeye Burl top with a matching headstock and pickup covers…

This week we check out the R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine, an instrument Ryan Hyde calls a blend of traditional and modern values. Hyde honed his skills in Ken Smith’s shop before starting his own in Philadelphia. Check out the bass of the week…

Bassist Johannes Pehrson has shared another video by his project, Before Yellow. Like last time, there aren’t many instruments in the mix. Johannes plays a 4-string and a 6-string bass and covers some of the vocals with Katrine Kampp. Plus drums. Funky stuff!

Although Megadeth’s drummer and guitarist have left the band, band bassist and co-founder David Ellefson is assuring fans that the band isn’t over. He recently talked with the Megadeth Cyber Army (the band’s fans) online, and noted that his presence on the fan forum should reveal that the band is still together…

2014 has been a good year for sneak albums, but R&B master D’Angelo may have taken the cake by releasing “Black Messiah” over the course of a weekend. Plus, it features the one and only Pino Palladino…